By Bruce Japsen |
The University of Chicago Medical Center said this evening it will sell three off-site dialysis centers and its home dialysis program for an undisclosed amount to Da Vita, Inc., a large national provider of kidney dialysis services.

The deal will close on Aug. 1, the South Side academic medical center and the Denver-based dialysis services firm said in a press release.

“For patients, the transition should be seamless,” said Kenneth J.
Sharigian, interim president of the University of Chicago Medical
Center. “Over the long run, it will lead to more efficient management of
dialysis services, better facilities, and the opportunity to expand the
program.”

University of Chicago doctors will continue as medical directors of each
facility.

The University of Chicago said it has had offers from companies for the
centers in the past but turned them down, waiting for the “optimal
partner.” Both parties also cited national trends of dialysis center
ownership to fall under corporations rather than hospitals.